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Rate Matters | 6 Months Ended
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Jun. 30, 2013
Rate Matters |
Rate Matters | Note 2 – Rate Matters Middlesex – In June 2013, the NJBPU approved a Middlesex Petition to defer approximately $0.4 million of costs of Superstorm Sandy related costs. These costs include labor, outside contractor costs, fuel, generator rental and other directly related expenses resulting from storm damage mitigation, repair, clean-up and restoration activities. Middlesex has submitted claims for these costs through its insurance carrier. Middlesex will seek recovery of any Superstorm Sandy related costs not recovered through insurance in its next base rate increase proceeding. Middlesex cannot predict the timing of or whether these costs, if any, will be recovered through insurance or in its next base rate proceeding. In April 2013, the NJBPU approved a Middlesex Petition to establish a Purchased Water Adjustment Clause and implement a tariff rate sufficient to recover increased costs of $0.1 million to purchase untreated water from the New Jersey Water Supply Authority (NJWSA) and treated water from a non-affiliated regulated water utility. In November 2012, Middlesex filed a Petition with the NJBPU seeking approval of foundational information (Foundational Filing) that would allow for the implementation of a Distribution System Improvement Charge (DSIC). A DSIC is a rate-mechanism that allows water utilities to recover investment in capital improvements to their water distribution system made between base rate proceedings. In February 2013, the Foundational Filing was approved by the NJBPU, which allows Middlesex to implement a DSIC rate in September 2013 to recover costs for qualifying projects that are placed in service in the six-month post-approval period. The DSIC rate is allowed to increase in three subsequent six month periods for any additional qualifying projects placed in service during those time periods. The maximum annual revenue allowed to be recovered under the approved Foundational Filing is $1.4 million. Pinelands - In March 2013, the NJBPU approved a combined $0.2 million increase in Pinelands Water and Pinelands Wastewater’s annual base revenues. In its initial request, filed in August 2012, Pinelands had sought an increase of $0.3 million on a combined basis. The rate increase for the water service, which is approximately 50% of the approved increase, will be phased-in over one year. TESI – In November 2012, TESI filed an application with the Delaware Public Service Commission (DEPSC) seeking approval to purchase all of the utility assets of the 600 customer wastewater system serving the residents of the Plantations development (the Plantations) in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware. The application also requests the transfer of the wastewater franchise from the current owner to TESI. In connection with this transaction, TESI also filed an application with DEPSC seeking an approximate $0.1 million increase in the Plantations’ residents base wastewater rates. TESI’s willingness to purchase the Plantations’ wastewater system is contingent upon several requirements being met to TESI’s satisfaction, including, among other things, the DEPSC’s approval of the sale and transfer application as well as a rate decision by the DEPSC that provides TESI a reasonable opportunity to earn its authorized return from the date of acquisition. In June 2013, a settlement agreement executed by TESI, the DEPSC Staff and the Delaware Department of the Public Advocate was submitted to a DEPSC-appointed Hearing Examiner as part of an evidentiary hearing. The homeowners association of the Plantations elected not to execute the settlement agreement and submitted objections to the Hearing Examiner. We cannot predict whether the DEPSC will ultimately approve or deny the settlement agreement. A decision by the DEPSC is not expected until the middle of the third quarter of 2013.

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- Definition The entire disclosure for all significant rate and regulatory matters related to the regualtory bodies the Company is regulated by. + References No definition available. + Details
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